Lot Grading
Lot Grading Certification makes sure your property meets our grading standards and matches how it was designed. This is important in order to keep your property and your neighbours safe from water damage and drainage problems.
Why do I need a Certification?
You will need a Lot Grading Certification to prevent problems like:
- A backyard you can’t use or maintain properly
- Damage from heavy rains
- Basement flooding
When do I need one?
You will need a Lot Grading Certification when:
- Building a new house
- Severing a lot for a new house
- Knocking down an old house to build a new one
Note: If you have recently purchased a new home in a subdivision, the Lot Grading Certification may not have been completed by the time you move in.
Before constructing anything new on your property, you will need this certification for:
- Adding an Additional Residential Unit (ARU)
- Installing a pool
- Adding structures such as sheds, garages, additions, decks and patios
How do I get one?
Your builder will apply and obtain the Lot Grading Certification for you and will consult with the County of Brant on your behalf. Check in with your builder for any questions about this process. It is in your best interest to wait until this process is completed before you build anything new.
Inspections:
Once a Lot Grading Certification request has been submitted, County of Brant staff can check any property that is not yet certified within the County of Brant.
For homeowners:
Avoid the costly mistake of building twice and damaging your property:
- Hold off on constructing fences until you have the certification
- Hold off on landscaping until you have the certification
- Walkways, accessory buildings and driveways need to have at least 0.45 metres of clear space away from any designed drainage feature on your property, such as a swale, ditch, or drain
- Don’t install anything over designed drainage features
- Healthy grass all over / new seeding has uniform growth
- Downspouts and sump pumps drain to a hard surface such as a splash pad or a driveway
- Driveways placed correctly and in good condition
- All drainage features and infrastructure are working and free of debris
Questions?
Reach out to your builder to inquire about the status of your home's Lot Grading Certification or more information on locating drainage features on your property.
Contact the County of Brant: